Is Arts Education Worth It?

An interesting article appeared in Tikkun Magazine, called “Arts Education as a Spiritual Act,” by retired SUNY-Cortland professor Joel Shatzky. Some quotes:

“From my perspective, as a pianist for most of my life,..someone for whom art, music, theatre, poetry, fiction are essential, an education without the arts is as unthinkable to me as an education without learning how to read. There is no doubt that the arts contribute immeasurably to a young learner’s ability to maintain that enthusiasm for mastery of a discipline that can trigger interest in other subjects as well…

…studies indicate that music, art and “the playfulness” of learning strengthen children’s motivations to discover and make their own the knowledge and skills that not only give them a job, but give them a fuller life. For what I have found as unique in the learning of the arts is the development and cultivation of the traits that produce truly humane and socially engaged citizens [emphasis mine] who are open to new experiences and knowledge on a higher level than those offered by the material world…

…to me, in a world that seems to be trading humanity for commodity there is a far more significant reason to teach, encourage and nurture the arts: and that is to try to keep us human on the highest level to which we can aspire.”

And speaking about the push for higher math and science scores and other quantifiable things, he says:

“All of [the] qualities that lift human endeavor to achieve its highest aspirations in its full humanity are not included in the planning of those who wish to control the way children learn as if it can be measured as an end product for instrumental use in an increasingly mechanistic society.”

10 Responses

Thank you. Too many school districts are throwing out fine arts, music, family and consumer sciences right now. Aren’t these the things that make us human? What will happen when our youth no longer understands what they are seeing or hearing?

If you think about it, so much of what the average person does for enjoyment every day has something to do with the arts. Reading, watching t.v., going to a movie, listening to music, etc. These are basic things that most people take for granted that are taught and learned every day around the world by extraordinary people. For the life of me I can’t understand why the arts programs are some of the first things to get cut in schools.
My daughters are very involved in the arts. I, myself,have played guitar for over 30 years, watched countless movies, listened to 1000s of albums and CDs and read an infinite number of books. In my opinion the artists in this world are just as important as the scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and historians. Why are we cutting the arts programs?

I apologize for the rant but, I find it disconcerting when, for example, school board members attend a well-produced high school musical production, are the first ones to stand and applaud the wonderful performances by the students, and then can convene three days later and suggest that in order to meet the budget the music program needs to be cut.

Our society is too concerned whether or not Charlie Sheen is partying too much or Lindsay Lohan is wearing the appropriate dress to court.
But,I guess I should look on the bright side. At least we’re paying attention to artists, albeit a couple whose priorities are a little out of whack.

I agree! Not a rant at all. I remember 29 years ago performing the Mikado here. $10,000 budget from our own pockets, and we broke even within a few bucks. the Dean asked me, how can we do this every year? I said, YOU put up the money. I never heard from him again. And we broke even!

Thanks for posting this, David. And I love the reminder in one comment that more than likely, we all participate or observe the arts several times a day (the radio or CD player is never off in my car . . .and there is usually a song in my head – sometimes unwanted, but always there!). And yes, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are important – but there are such connections between these disciplines and the arts – in the way people’s minds work – lots of similar synapses. How many scientists, engineers, etc., do you know that also play an instrument, sing, etc.? Many!!! Last year, 34% of ESYO grads told us they were headed to science, math, and engineering schools and many planned on continuing to play music, in a college orchestra or other ensemble. There is a connection! (We also had 50% going on in music – performance, education, and industry – hurray for all the kids and parents who support this.) As one educator and I discussed last fall, we should change STEM to STEAM – bring that “A” for Arts back into the mix and treat it as a priority in our kids’ education – not to the exclusion of other courses of study, but to complement , to round out our children. That’s my rant! Viva l’arts!